OOTP 24 - Best Team Ever Tournament

[EagleFan]

I've decided to try to return with a potentially very long dynasty. The goal is to use OOTP 24 and try to find the best team ever for the best season ever.

What I am doing:

1st, ranking the top 16 teams for every current franchise (including past iterations of teams before moves and name changes).

2nd, running a tournament with best of 7 rounds; will be a 4 round tournament to get a winner.

3rd, the winner for each franchise will make the Greatest Team ever season in which I will run a full season using the winners for each franchise.


How am I ranking:

1st, all teams that won the world series earn top seeding and will be seeded based on winning percentage.

2nd, all teams that made it to the world series but lost will be the next tier of seeds, also seeded by winning percentage.

3rd, if teams don't already meet the 16 team requirement the final tier of seeds to fill out the 16 teams will be based on teams hat didn't make the world series and will be ranked by winning percentage.


WSC - World Series Champion
LWS - Lost World Series
--- - Didn't make World Series



American League - East
Red Sox - tbd
Yankees - tbd
Orioles - tbd
Blue Jays - tbd
Rays - tbd

American League - Central
Twins - tbd
Tigers - tbd
Guardians - tbd
White Sox - tbd
Royals - tbd

American League - West
Astros - tbd
Rangers - tbd
Mariners - tbd
Angels - tbd
Athletics - tbd

National League - East
Braves - 1996 Atlanta Braves (.593, lost WS)
Phillies - 2011 Philadelphia Phillies (.630, didn't make WS)
Nationals - 2017 Washington Nationals (.599, didn't make WS)
Mets - 1986 New York Mets (.667, WS champions)
Marlins - 1997 Florida Marlins (.568, WS champions)

National League - Central
Reds - 1975 Cincinnati Reds (.667, WS champions)
Cubs - 1908 Chicago Cubs (.643, WS champions)
Cardinals - 1926 St. Louis Cardinals (.578, WS champions)
Brewers - 2017 Milwaukee Brewers (.531, didn't make WS)
Pirates - 1972 Pittsburgh Pirates (.619, didn't make WS)

National League - West
Dodgers - 1963 Los Angeles Dodgers (.611, WS champions)
Giants - 1912 New York Giants (.682, lost WS)
Padres - tbd
Rockies - 1995 Colorado Rockies (.535, didn't make WS)
Diamondbacks - 1999 Arizona Diamondbacks (.617, didn't make WS)

[EagleFan]

I'm starting with the NL East. Currently running the Braves franchise.

The seeds for the Braves are:
(1) 1995 WSC .625
(2) 1957 WSC .617
(3) 1914 WSC .614
(4) 2021 WSC .547
(5) 1999 LWS .636
(6) 1992 LWS .605
(7) 1958 LWS .597
(8) 1948 LWS .595
(9) 1996 LWS .593
(10) 1991 LWS .580
(11) 1998 — .654
(12) 1993 — .642
(13) 2002 — .631
(14) 1997 — .623
(15) 2003 — .623
(16) 2022 — .623

[EagleFan]

Braves 1st Round

(16) 2022 vs. (1) 1995
1995 wins 4 games to 3. Tom Glavine wins MVP going 2-0 without giving up and earned run. Fred McGriff hit .348 with 1 homerun and 3 RBI's. Max Fried was 2-0 with an 0.67 ERA.

(15) 2003 vs. (2) 1957
2003 sweeps the 1957 team 4-0. Vinny Castilla was MVP though hitting ony .286 with 2 homeruns and 3 RBI's.

(14) 1997 vs. (3) 1914
1997 takes the series 4 games to 2. Javy Lopez is named MVP hitting .429 with 2 homeruns and 5 RBI's. Johnny Evers hit .400 with 2 RBI's in the losing cause.

(13) 2002 vs. (4) 2021
2002 wins easily 4 games to 1. Chipper Jones is MVP hitting .450 with 3 homeruns and 7 RBI's.

(12) 1993 vs. (5) 1999
1993 wins the last two games on the road for a 4 games to 3 victory. Ron Gant is named MVP hitting .346 with 2 homeruns and 4 RBI's. Steve Avery was 2-0 with a 1.12 ERA. Bret Boone hit .304 with 2 homeruns and 7 RBI's.

(11) 1998 vs. (6) 1992
1992 wins the last game at home in a 4 games to 3 victory. Ron Gant was named MVP hitting .385 with 2 homeruns and 7 RBI's. Andres Galarraga may have turned in one of the best performances in a series in a losing cause. He hit .429 with 6 homeruns and 13 RBI's. He homered in 5 of the 7 games.

(10) 1991 vs. (7) 1958
1991 wins on the road in game 6 for the 4 games to 2 series win. Terry Pendleton is names MVP hitting .364 with 3 homeruns and 7 RBI's. Ron Gant hit .318 with 1 homerun and 5 RBI's.

(9) 1996 vs. (8) 1948
1996 wins easily 4 games to 1. 1948 staved off the sweep with a win in game 4 but lost the next game to lose the series. Ryan Klesko was named MVP hitting .276 with 3 homeruns and 5 RBI's. John Smoltz was 2-0 with an ERA of 2.00.

[EagleFan]

Braves Quarter Finals

(15) 2003 vs. (1) 1995
2003 comes from trailing 3-4 in the series to winning the last three games and upsetting the top seed with a 4 games to 3 victory. Javy Lopez is named MVP hitting .467 with 1 homerun and 54 RBI's. Surprisingly Andruw Jones wasn't as he hit .370 with 4 homeruns and 11 RBI's. Mike Hampton was 2-0 with a 1.20 ERA.

(14) 1997 vs. (6) 1992
1992 wins easily 4 games to 1 to advance as the highest remaining seed. Sid Bream is names MVP hitting .368 with 2 homeruns and 4 RBI's. In a losing cause Chipper Jones hit .478 with 5 RBI's.

(13) 2002 vs. (9) 1996
1996 sweeps the series in 4 games. Fred McGriff was named MVP hitting .625 with 3 homeruns and 7 RBI's. The worst stat line goes to reliever Damian Moss in a losing cause. He was 0-1 and pitched 0.1 innings allowing 2 homeruns and finished with an ERA of 108.00.

(12) 1993 vs. (10) 1991
1991 wins the last two games in a games to 3 seven game victory. Jeff Treadway was MVP hitting .370 with 1 homerun and 6 RBI's. Otis Nixon hit .423 with 3 RBI's in the loss.

[EagleFan]

Braves Semi Finals

(15) 2003 vs. (6) 1992
1992 wins the series in 6 games, 4 to 2. Otis Nixon is named MVP hitting .458 with 1 homerun and 7 RBI's. Javy Lopez hit .500 with 2 homeruns and 6 RBI's in a losing cause.

(10) 1991 vs. (9) 1996
1991 wins 3 of the first 3 to lead the series 3 games to 1 but 1996 came back with win the final 3 games to win the series 4 games to 3, with the last game being won with a solo homerun by Fred McGriff in the bottom of the 9th. McGriff would win MVP hitting .310 with 3 homeruns and 3 RBI's. John Smoltz was 2-0 with an ERA of 1.69.

[EagleFan]

Braves Finals

(9) 1996 vs. (6) 1992

Game 1 - 1996 1 1992 0
Luis Palonia would single home the only run of the game in the top of the 5th as 1996 would win 1-0 behind a complete game shutout by John Smoltz who allowed 6 hits with 1 walk and 5 strikeouts. His counterpart for 1992 would take the loss allowing the 1 run on 4 hits with 2 walks and 6 strikeouts in 8.0 innings. 1996 leads the series 1-0.

Game 2 - 1992 6 1996 1
Pete Smith would go 8.0 innings and allow just the 1 run even though he allowed 11 hits. Only one was an extra base hit, a double. Deion Sanders would have 2 hits with a double, a homerun, and 3 RBI's. Greg Maddux would get pulled in the 6th allowing the 6 runs over 5.2 innings. The series is tied 1-1.

Game 3 - 1996 5 1992 2
With the game tied at 2 in the bottom of the 8th pinch hitter Ryan Klesko would hit a 3 run homerun to give 1996 a 5-2 lead heading into the 9th and Mark Wohlers would slam the door in the 9th for the 5-2 victory. 1996 leads the series 2-1.

Game 4 - 1992 7 1996 2
With 1996 leading 1-0 in the top of the 6th team 1992 would score 5 runs to take a 5-1 lead and never look back. The series is back to even at 2-2.

Game 5 - 1996 3 1992 2
1996 keeps the win/loss pattern going as they take game 5 in exciting style. With the game tied 1-1 in the top of the 9th an RBI single by Otis Nixon gives 1992 a 2-1 lead. Terry Pendleton would tie the game at 2-2 with 1 out in the bottom of the 9th and the game heads to extra innings. After a scoreless 10th in the bottom of the 11th Jeff Blauser would lead off with a single, be moved to 2nd and then to 3rd and dinally score on a Ryan Klesko single for the 3-2 victory. Team 1996 now leads the series 3 games to 2 with it returning to 1992 being home.

Game 6 - 1996 5 1992 2
1996 would finish the upset as they would score 5 runs over the final 3 innings to take a 5-1 lead into the bottom of the 9th. 1992 would load the bases with no outs in the bottom of the 9th but only a sac fly would score a run and they would lose 5-2.

MVP: John Smoltz (1-0, 0.53, 17.0 IP)

[EagleFan]

Mets Seeds

(1) 1986 WSC .667
(2) 1969 WSC .617
(3) 2000 LWS .580
(4) 2015 LWS .556
(5) 1973 LWS .509
(6) 1988 — .625
(7) 2022 — .623
(8) 1985 — .605
(9) 1999 — .595
(10) 1987 — .568
(11) 1990 — .562
(12) 1984 — .556
(13) 2008 — .549
(14) 2007 — .543
(15) 1997 — .543
(16) 1998 — .543

[EagleFan]

Predictions on the winner for the Mets?

[EagleFan]

Mets 1st Round

(16) 1998 vs. (1) 1986
In a surprise the 1998 squad went punch for punch with 1986 and took them to game seven. 1986 put three runs on the board in the first inning and coasted to a 7-4 victory to win the series 4 games to 3. Wally Backman wins the MVP as he hit .379 with 3 RBI's and led all players with 11 hits. Dwight Gooden was 1-0 with an ERA of 2.13. John Olerud hit .345 with 5 RBI's.

(15) 1997 vs. (2) 1969
This series went 7 games with an upset as 1997 pulls out game seven 4-2 after scoring twice in the first and never trailing. Carlos Baerga wins the MVP as he hit .321 with 1 homerun and 3 RBI's. Cleon Jones hit .385 with 2 homeruns and 6 RBI's in the loss.

(14) 2007 vs. (3) 2000
2000 jumped to a 3 games to none lead before 2007 tried to get back into it with 2 victories but 2000 finished it with a 5-2 victory in game 6 for a 4 games to 2 victory in the series. Edgardo Alfonzo was the MVP as he it .381 with 2 homeruns and 3 RBI's. Mike Hampton was 0-0 in two starts over 13.1 innings with a 1.35 ERA.

(13) 2008 vs. (4) 2015
2015 takes a 2-0 lead before 2008 evened it at 2-2 but 2015 wins the next two games, including the clincher by a 9-0 score. 2015 moved on with a 4 games to 2 victory. Lucas Duda was the MVP as he hit .348 with 4 homeruns and 6 RBI's in the series. Matt Harvey was 2-0 with an ERA of 2.30. David Write hit only .240 but had 4 homeruns and 7 RBI's in the losing cause.

(12) 1984 vs. (5) 1973
1984 makes easy work of it winning 4 games to 1. Hubie Brooks was the MVP hitting .471 with 3 homeruns and 10 RBI's. Dwight Gooden was 2-0 with an ERA of 2.77 and 15 strikeouts in 13.0 innings.

(11) 1990 vs. (6) 1988
The favorites win in 6 games. Sid Fernandez was named MVP as he was 1-0 with an 0.00 ERA. Dwight Gooden was 0-0 also with a 0.00 ERA. David Cone was 2-0 with a 1.06 ERA. Pitching dominated for 1988. Howard Johnson hit .280 with 3 homeruns and 5 RBI's in the losing cause.

(10) 1987 vs. (7) 2022
1987 with the upset as they win easily 4 games to 1. Kevin McReynolds was named MVP as he hit .429 with 2 homeruns and 4 RBI's. Dave Magadan hit .450. Dwight Gooden was 1-0 with an ERA of 2.77 in 13.0 innings with 14 strikeouts.

(9) 1999 vs. (8) 1985
1985 dispatches of 1999 in 5 games. Mookie Wilson is named MVP as he hit .364 with 3 RBI's. Dwight Gooden was 2-0 with an ERA of 2.12 in 17.0 innings of work. Robin Ventura hit .381 with 2 RBI's in the loss.

[EagleFan]

Mets Quarter Finals

(15) 1997 vs. (1) 1986
1986 dominated with a victory in 5 games. They allowed only 4 total runs over the 5 games (with their one loss being 2-0 and they gave up no runs at all in the final two games. Dwight Gooden was named MVP as he was 2-0 with an ERA or 0.53 in 17.0 innings. Wally Backman hit .421 with 3 RBI's.

(12) 1984 vs. (3) 2000
1984 wins game one and never allows 2000 to win more than one game in a row as 1984 wins the series in 6 games. Jesse Orosco was named MVP as he was 2-0 with an ERA of 0.00 and 2 saves.

(10) 1987 vs. (4) 2015
1987 wins the series 4 games to 2. Lenny Dykstra is named MVP as he hit .370 with 2 homeruns and 3 RBI's. Matt Harvey wins the no luck award as he was 0-0 in 14.0 innings with an ERA of 1.29 as he had no luck in the losing effort.

(8) 1985 vs. (6) 1988
1988 makes quick work of it in 5 games. Gary Carter was named MVP as he hit .389 with 3 RBI's. Bob Ojeda was 1-0 with an ERA of 1.59 in 17.0 innings.

[EagleFan]

Mets Semifinals

(12) 1984 vs. (1) 1986
In a back and forth series 1986 locked down the final two games to win the series in 6 games, 4 games to 2. Roger McDowell was named the MVP going 1-0 with an ERA of 0.00 and saving 3 games (was directly involved in all 4 wins). Rafael Santana hit .409 with 6 RBI's in the losing cause.

(10) 1987 vs. (6) 1988
1987 pulls out the series 4 games to 2. Charles Hudson is named MVP as he was 2-0 with an ERA of 1.59 in 17.0 innings. Keith Hernandez hit .300 with 1 homerun and 3 RBI's in the loss.

[EagleFan]

Mets Final

(1987) vs. (1) 1986

Game 1 - 1986 3 1987 1
1986 scored twice in the bottom of the 12t and added another in the second to take a 3-0 lead. They would coast behind Gooden to a 3-1 victory to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Game 2 - 1986 1 1987 0
A pitchers' duel that would go to the bottom of the 9th scoreless. 1987 would bring Jesse Orosco in to pitch and after giving up a single to Mookie Wilson he would walk Ray Knight and Rafael Santana to load the bases with no outs. Lenny Dykstra would single on the first pitch he saw for the walk off victory. 1986 leads the series 2-0.

Game 3 - 1986 5 1987 1
1986 would score two in the top of the first and three more in the 5th to go up 5-0 and would ride a great performance by Sid Fernandez to a 5-1 victory. 1986 leads the series 3-0.

Game 4 - 1986 5 1987 0
Pitching would again dominate for team 1986 as Ron Darling would throw a complete game shutout in a 5-0 victory that would complete the sweep.


MVP - Bob Ojeda (1-0, 0.00)
The MVP really could have gone to any of their pitchers as only their 4 starters and Roger McDowell pitched during the series with the highest ERA being 1.12 as they gave up just 2 runs over the 4 games.

[EagleFan]

Phillies Seeds

(1) 2008 WSC .568
(2) 1980 WSC .562
(3) 1993 LWS .599
(4) 1915 LWS .592
(5) 1950 LWS .591
(6) 2009 LWS .574
(7) 1983 LWS .556
(8) 2022 LWS .537
(9) 2011 — .630
(10) 1976 — .623
(11) 1977 — .623
(12) 2010 — .599
(13) 1916 –- .595
(14) 1913 –- .583
(15) 1917 — .572
(16) 1964 — .568

[EagleFan]

Any predictions for the Phillies winner?

[EagleFan]

Phillies First Round

(16) 1964 vs. (1) 2008
After 1964 won the opening game the series would turn and 2008 would win the next 4 to win the series 4 games to 1. Shane Victorino was named MVP hitting .381 with 1 HR and 2 RBI's. Jason Werth would hit .312 with 2 homeruns and 6 RBI's. Dick Allen hit .381 with 3 homeruns and 4 RBI's in the loss.

(15) 1917 vs. (2) 1980
1917 pulled an upset (and pulled the rug out from under my memories) with a 4 game sweep of 1980. Gavvy Cravath was named MVP as he hit .438 with 1 homerun and 5 RBI's.

(14) 1913 vs. (3) 1993
1993 wins the last 3 games of the series after it was 1-1 after two games. They win the series 4 games to 1. Dave Hollins was named MVP, he hit .353 with 2 homeruns and 4 RBI's. Lenny Dykstra hit .381 with 4 RBI's. Tommy Greene was 2-0 with an ERA of 1.00.

(13) 1916 vs. (4) 1915
1916 wins 4 games to 2 to advance. Dode Paskert was named MVP as he hit .348 with 1 homerun and 3 RBI's.

(12) 2010 vs. (5) 1950
After 2010 wins the first two games on the road team 1950 would win the next 4 to win the series in 6 games. Del Ennis was named MVP as he hit .370 with 2 homeruns and 8 RBI's. Robin Roberts was 1-0 with an ERA of 2.12 in 17.0 innings.

(11) 1977 vs. (6) 2009
An odd series that goes 7 games with only one game that would be considered close. Team 2009 advances with the 4-3 series victory. Raul Ibanez was named MVP as he hi .370 with 4 homeruns and 10 RBI's. Cole Hamels was 2-0 with an ERA of 1.50. Garry Maddox hit .400 with 2 RBI's in the loss.

(10) 1976 vs. (7) 1983
1976 sweeps the series to advance, Steve Carlton is named MVP as he was 1-0 with an ERA of 0.00.

(9) 2011 vs. (8) 2022
The pitching from 2011 was too much to overcome as they win the series in 5 games. Roy Halladay was named MVP as he was 2-0 with an ERA of 0.00 and 19 strikeouts in 14.1 innings of work.

[Chas in Cinti]

this is an interesting concept... following

[EagleFan]

Phillies Quarter Finals

(15) 1917 vs. (1) 2008
1917 with the upset (more memories being destroyed) with a 4 games to 1 victory as they won the last 4 games of the series after 2008 won game 1. Gavvy Cravath was named MVP as he hit .300 with 3 homeruns and 7 RBI's. Milt Stock hit .421 with 1 RBI. Five regulars on 1917 hit .300 or better for the series. Chase Utley hit .316 with 1 homerun and 2 RBI's in the loss.

(13) 1916 vs. (3) 1993
In an amazing comeback 1993 wins 4 games to 3 to advance. 1916 won the first 3 games 3-1, 2-1, and 5-3. Then 1993 picked up the pressure and outscored them 20-6 in the next 4 games to come back from an 0-3 deficit (I thought yet another memory was going to be shot down). John Kruk was named MVP as he hit .346 with 2 homeruns and 8 RBI's. Lenny Dykstra hit .370 with 1 homerun and 3 RBi's. Dode PAskert hit .333 with 2 homeruns and 6 RBI's in the loss.

(10) 1976 vs. (5) 1950
1976 wins in a 4-0 sweep. Dick Allen was named MVP as he hit .412 with 3 homeruns and 5 RBI's. Greg Luzinski hit .357 with 1 homerun and 6 RBI's. Del Ennis hit .308 with 1 homerun and 4 RBI's in the loss.

(9) 2011 vs. (6) 2009
2011 led the series 3-1 with 2009 winning the next two games to take it to a game 7. In game 7 2001 rocked 2009 with an 8-2 victory to win in 7 games. This was a battle of two disappointing finished to a season with 2011 being the most underachieving team I remember (in terms of playoffs). Carlos Ruiz was named MVP as he hit .480 with 2 homeruns and 4 RBI's. His version in 2009 hit only .217. Raul Ibanez hit .333 with 2 RBI's for 2011. His 2009 version hit .346 with 1 homerun and 4 RBI's. Cole Hamels was 2-0 with an ERA of 1.35 for 2011. His 2009 version was 0-2 with an ERA of 7.56 with both starts being against his 2011 counterpart.

[EagleFan]

Phillies Semi Finals

(15) 1917 vs. (3) 1993
1917 has completed the destruction of my memories as they win the series in 7 games in what was a back and forth series. Milt Stock was named MVP has he hit .308 with 1 homerun and 3 RBI's. Pete Incaviglia hit .393 with 3 homeruns and 3 RBI's in the loss.

(10) 1976 vs. (9) 2011
A battle of two 100+ win teams. 2011 wins the series 4 games to 1. Hunter Pence was named MVP as ht hi .474 with 1 homerun and 4 RBI's. Chase Utley hit .412 with 1 homerun and 5 RBI's.

[EagleFan]

Phillies Final

(15) 1917 vs. (9) 2011
Will 1917 destroy another memory?

Game 1 - 2011 4 1917 3 (14)
John Mayberry Jr. goes 3 for 6 with 2 runs scored, 3 RBI's and 2 homeruns. His first homerun was a solo homerun in the bottom of the 9th to tie the game 1-1. His second was a 2 run homerun in the bottom of the 13th to tie the game at 3. Placido Palanco wins the game with a solo homerun in the bottom of the 14th.

Game 2 - 2011 3 1917 2 (11)
2011 takes a 2-0 lead with an 11 inning victory.

Game 3 - 2011 3 1917 0
Cole Hamels throws 8 scoreless innings and Ryan Madson closed the game out with a scoreless ninth.

Game 4 - 1917 2 2011 1
1917 gets on the board with a 2-1 victory.

Game 5 - 2011 1 1917 0
2011 wins the series 4 games to 1 with a 1-0 shutout victory. A combined 9 hit shutout with Halladay, Bastardo, and Oswalt splitting time.

MVP - John Mayberry Jr. hit .300 with 2 homeruns and 4 RBI's.
Roy Halladay was 1-0 with an ERA of 0.57 in 15.2 innings.

[EagleFan]

Marlins Seeds

(1) 1997 WSC .568
(2) 2003 WSC .562
(3) 2009 — .537
(4) 2008 — .522
(5) 2020 — .517
(6) 2004 — .512
(7) 2005 — .512
(8) 2010 — .494
(9) 1996 — .494
(10) 2000 — .491
(11) 2016 — .491
(12) 2002 — .488
(13) 2006 — .481
(14) 2017 — .475
(15) 2014 — .475
(16) 2001 — .469

[EagleFan]

Predictions on the Marlins?

[Chas in Cinti]

This will go according to plan... 1997 for the win...

[EagleFan]

Marlins 1st Round

(16) 2001 vs. (1) 1997
1997 wins in 5 games. Darren Daulton was named MVP as he hit .381 with 2 homeruns and 4 RBI's. Craig Counsell hit .381 with 1 homerun and 6 RBIs'. Bobby Bonilla hit .381 with 1 homerun and 7 RBI's. Alex Gonzalez hit .350 with 2 RBI's in the loss.

(15) 2014 vs. (2) 2003
2003 led the series 2-1 but then 2014 wins the next three games to complete the upset with a 4-2 victory. Marcell Ozuna was named MCP as he hit .292 with 3 homeruns and 7 RBI's, they won each game in which he homered going 3-0 in those games. Casey McGehee hit .417 with 2 RBI's. Jose Fernandez was 2-0 with an ERA of 1.57 in 15.1 innings. Mike Lowell hit .333 with 2 homeruns and 8 RBI's in the loss.

(14) 2017 vs. (3) 2009
After splitting the first two 2017 wins 2 of 3 at home to take a 3-2 lead in the series. Then on the road they complete the upset with a 5-1 victory for a 6 game victory. Christian Yelich was named MVP as he hit .409 with 2 homeruns and 6 RBI's. Marcel Ozuna hit .346 with 2 homeruns and 5 RBI's. 2009 was shut down as they only scored more than 2 runs in a game 1 time.

(13) 2006 vs. (4) 2008
2008 wins the first three games as they scored 18 runs in those first three games. 2006 then made an improbable comeback as they won the next 4 games to come back from an 0-3 series hole to win in 7 games. They held 2008 to just 8 runs in those 4 games. Miguel Cabrera was named MVP as he hit .407 with 2 homeruns and 12 RBI's as he willed the team to victory in those final 4 games. Dan Uggla hit .320 with 2 homeruns and 7 RBI's in the loss.

(12) 2002 vs. (5) 2020
The series started with 2002 winning big but went back and forth until 2002 broke the pattern by winning game 6 for a 4 games to 2 upset. Luis Castillo was named MVP as he hit .480 with 2 RBI's. Kevin Millar hit .407 with 1 homerun and 2 RBI's. AJ Burnett put up MVP like numbers as he was 2-0 with an ERA of 0.69.

(11) 2016 vs. (6) 2004
2016 upsets one of the few teams with a winning record for this club with a 4 game sweep. AJ Ramos was named MVP as he was 1-0 with 2 saves and an ERA of 0.00. There were no real offensive standouts in the series.

(10) 2000 vs. (7) 2005
2005 wins 4 games to 1 to be only the 2nd team with a winning record to advance for the Marlins. Miguel Cabrera was named MVP as he hit .318 with 3 RBI's. Dontrelle Willis was 2-0 with an ERA of 2.30 in 15.2 innings. Alex Gonzalez hit .438 with 1 homerun and 2 RBI's in the loss.

(9) 1996 vs (8) 2010
1996 wins the battle of the 80-82 teams in 6 games. Quilvio Veras was named MVP as he hit .391 with 9 hits, both led all players in the series. Kevin Brown was 1-0 with an ERA of 0.57 in 15.2 innings. Al Leiter was 0-0 with an ERA of 1.20 in 15.0 innings. The series was very low scoring as only one game saw more than 4 runs scored.

[EagleFan]

Marlins Quarter Finals

(15) 2014 vs. (1) 1997
1997 wins the first two at home, 2014 follows up by winning their first two home games to even the series at 2 but then 1997 shuts out 2015 to take a 3-2 lead coming back home. Game 6 was an epic 20 inning game that was tied at 5 since the 7th inning. In the bottom of the 20th with runners at 1st and 2nd with 1 out a wild pitch moved the runners up and Gary Sheffield hit a sacrifice fly to deep right to bring home the series winning run as 1997 wins in 6 games. Gary Sheffield was named MVP hitting .333 with 3 homeruns and 8 RBIS's, including the series winning run. Moises Alou hit .387 and led all players with 12 hits. Kevin Brown was 1-0 with an ERA of 1.15 in 15.2 innings. Garett Jones hit .409 with 2 RBI's in the loss.

(14) 2017 vs. (7) 2005
2017 with the upset winning in 6 games. This leaves one team with a winning record for this franchise. Justin Bour was named MVP as he hit .474 with 1 homerun and 5 RBI's.

(13) 2006 vs. (9) 1996
1996 wins their first two games at home. 2006 then went on a run with 4 straight to win the series in 6 games as they outscored 1996 28-10 in those final 4 games. Wes Helms was named MVP as he hit .520 with 13 hits and 6 RBI's.

(12) 2002 vs. (11) 2016
2002 wins in 6 games. Vladimir Nunez was named MVP going 1-0 with 3 saves and an ERA of 0.00.

[EagleFan]

Marlins Semi Finals

(14) 2017 vs. (1) 1997
1997 wins the first two games at home and then 2017 wins the next two to tie the series up. 1997 would have none of that as they won the next two by a combined 12-4 score to win in 6 and advance. Moises Alou was named MVP as he hit .375 with 2 homeruns and 7 RBI's. Darren Daulton hit .435 with 2 RBI's and led all players with 10 hits. Livan Hernandez (0.63 in 14.1) and Kevin Brown (1.69 in 16.0) were both 2-0 in the series. JT Realmuto hit .360 with 2 RBI's in the loss.

(13) 2006 vs. (12) 2002
The series would see 2002 go up 3-1 but 2006 would win the next two to take the series to a game 7. In game 7 2002 would lead 6-1 going into the top of the 9th. 2006 would rally with 3 runs to get within 6-4 but a ground out by Mike Jacobs would end the game as 2002 would advance. Mike Lowell is named MVP as he hit .346 with 1 homerun and 4 RBI's. Miguel Cabrera would hit .400, lead all players with 12 hits, and have 5 RBI's in the loss.

[EagleFan]

Marlins Final

(12) 2002 vs. (1) 1997

Game 1 - 1997 1 2002 0
A pitching duel would be scoreless through 9 innings and go to extra innings. In the bottom of the 10th Devon White would hit a one out single, and then steal second. After a strikeout for the 2nd out Craig Counsell would single on an 0-1 pitch to score the winning run. 1997 leads 1-0.

Game 2 - 1997 3 2002 2
Mike Redmond would single to score two in the top of the 1st to give 2002 a 2-0 lead. In the bottom of the 2nd with 2 outs Jeff Conine would hit a 2 run double to tie the game at 2. The game would remain tied until the bottom of the 6th when Moises Alou would lead off and hit a 3-1 pitch for a solo homerun to give 1997 a 3-2 lead. In the top of the 8th Derrek Lee would lead off with a double but would be stranded at 2nd. Rob Nen would retire the side in order in the top of the 9th as 1997 would take a 2-0 series lead with the 3-2 victory.

Game 3 - 1997 8 2002 1
1997 would go up 6-0 and coast to an 8-1 victory to take a 3-0 lead in the series.

Game 4 - 1997 5 2002 2
1997 would lead 2-0 going into the bottom of the 3rd but 2002 would score two to tie the game 2-2. 1997 would answer immediately in the top of the 5th with 2 of their own to go up 4-2. They would add another in the 8th to go up 5-2 which would be the final score. 1997 sweeps the series.

[EagleFan]

Nationals Seeds

(1) 2019 WSC .574
(2) 1994 — .649
(3) 2012 — .605
(4) 2017 — .599
(5) 1979 — .594
(6) 2014 — .593
(7) 2016 — .586
(8) 1993 — .580
(9) 1987 — .562
(10) 1980 — .556
(11) 1996 — .543
(12) 1992 — .537
(13) 1982 — .531
(14) 2013 — .531
(15) 1990 — .525
(16) 1985 — .522

[EagleFan]

Any predictions on the Nationals? Hard to overlook that 1994 Expos team but my dark horse is 1979.

[EagleFan]

Nationals 1st Round

(16) 1985 vs. (1) 2019
The 2019 Nationals win the first two games at home, both shutouts. The 1985 Expos take two of three on their home field to get to 3-2 but the 2019 team wins game 6 at home 6-2 to win the series. Asdrubal Cabrera was named MVP as he hit .350 with 6 RBI's. Andre Dawson hit .375 with 1 homerun and 5 RBI's in the loss.

(15) 1990 vs. (2) 1994
This series was a dog fight. The teams split the first two before 1990 won the next two to take a 3-1 lead in the series but 1994 bounced back to win the final three games and win the series in 7. Moises Alou was named MVP as he hit .318 with 3 homeruns and 7 RBI's. Larry Walker hit .417 with 4 homeruns and 9 RBI's in the loss. In the games 1990 won they put up big offensive numbers. In the games 1994 won their pitching led the way.

(14) 2013 vs. (3) 2012
2012 wins the series in 5 games.. Only game 1 saw more than 5 total runs scored. Sean Burnett was named MVP as he was 2-0 with an ERA of 0.00.

(13) 1982 vs. (4) 2017
2017 wins the series in 5 games. The oddity is that the first three games were shutouts with 2017 winning two of them. Bryce Harper was named MVP as he hit .429 with 2 homeruns and 2 RBI's.

(12) 1992 vs. (5) 1979
So much for my dark horse as we have our first upset with 1992 winning in 5 games. Delino DeShields was named MVP as he hit .400 with 2 RBI's and led all players with 8 hits. Dennis MArtinez was 2-0 with an ERA of 1.50 in 18.0 innings and should have been the MVP in my opinion. Gary Carter hit .316 with 1 homerun and 2 RBI's in the loss.

(11) 1996 vs. (6) 2014
In what was a strange series 1996 with the upset 7 game victory. Only one game was close with 4 games being shutouts and 5 games being decided by 5 or more runs. Mark Grudzielanek was named MVP as he hit .433 with 1 homerun and 2 RBI's and led all players with 13 hits. David Segui hit .393 with 1 homerun and 6 RBI's. Bryce Harper hit .346 with 1 homerun and 3 RBI's in the loss.

(10) 1980 vs. (7) 2016
Another odd series that went 7 games. The home team only won game 7 as 2016 would advance. Daniel Murphy was named MVP as he hit .344 with 3 homeruns and 8 RBI's. Andre Dawson hit .364 with 1 homerun and 3 RBI's and led all players with 12 hits in the loss.

(9) 1987 vs. (8) 1993
1987 wins easily in a sweep. Tim Wallach was named MVP as he hit .429 with 4 RBI's and led all players with 6 hits.

[EagleFan]

Nationals Quarter Finals

4 Nationals and 4 Expos remain.

(12) 1992 vs. (1) 2019
The series goes back and forth and ends with 2019 winning game 7 14-1 to advance. Trae Turner is named MVP as he hit .394 with 2 homeruns and 5 RBI's.

(11) 1996 vs. (2) 1994
1994 wins the first two games to take a 2-0 lead but then 1996 goes on a run of 4 games to win the series in 6 games. Moises Alou was named MVP as he hit .391 with 1 homerun and 3 RBI's.

(9) 1987 vs. (3) 2012
1987 with an upset as they win the series in 5 games. Tim Raines is named MVP as he hit .474 with 3 RBI's and led all players with 9 hits. Pascual Perez was 2-0 with an ERA of 1.26 with 17 K's in 14.1 innings.

(7) 2016 vs. (4) 2017
2017 wins the series in 6 games. Howie Kendrick was named MVP as he hit .391 with 1 homerun and 3 RBI's. Stephen Strasburg was 1-0 with an ERA of 0.57 in 15.2 innings.

[EagleFan]

Nationals Semi Finals

Two Nationals and two Expos remain.

(11) 1996 vs. (1) 2019
2019 wins the first three games of the series as it looked like a quick series. 1996 won three straight one run games to tie the series up at 3 and force a game seven. In game 7 2019 took a 3-0 lead into the top of the 9th. Moises Alou hit a two out two run homerun to get the score to 3-2. Pinch hitter Henry Rodriguez struck out looking on a 3-2 pitch to end the game as 2019 advances. Howie Kendrick was named MVP of the series as he hit .323 with 1 homerun and 4 RBI's. Patrick Corbin was 2-0 with an ERA of 0.71 in 12.2 innings of work.

(9) 1987 vs. (4) 2017
A tight series where teams exchanged wins with 2017 getting the first and last win of the series to win it in 7 games. The last Expos team is eliminated. Howie Kendrick wins MVP as he hit .323 with 2 RBI's and led all players with 10 hits. Tim Raines hit .364 with 2 RBI's in the loss.

[EagleFan]

Nationals Final

(4) 2017 vs. (1) 2019

Game 1 - 2017 4 2019 1
With the game tied 1-1 after 6 innings 2017 would take the lead in the top of the 7th with a run and add two more in the 8th for the 4-1 victory. 2017 leads 1-0.

Game 2 - 2019 5 2017 3
2019 would put three on the board in the bottom of the 1st and add 2 more in the 4th to lead 5-0. They would keep that lead going into the 9th. Daniel Murphy would hit a one out three run homerun to get the game tighter at 5-3. After a pitching change Anthony Rendon would double and Brian Goodwin would walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1 out and bring the potential go ahead run to the plate in pinch hitter Wilmer Difo. On the first pitch he would ground right back to the pitcher for a 1-6-3 double play to end the game. The series is tied 1-1.

Game 3 - 2017 12 2019 6
2019 would lead 6-1 going into the bottom of the 5th when 2017 would bat around and score 5 runs to take a 6-5 lead. They would add 6 more over the next three innings and win easily 12-6. 2017 leads 2-1.

Game 4 - 2017 7 2019 4
2017 would score 3 runs in the bottom of the 1st and never really look back as they go on to win 7-4. 2017 leads 3-1.

Game 5 - 2017 10 2019 4
The game would never be in doubt as 2017 would win easily 10-4 to win the series 4-1.


MVP: Daniel Murphy (.500, 4 HR, 9 RBI)

[EagleFan]

Reds Seeds

(1) 1919 WSC .686
(2) 1975 WSC .667
(3) 1940 WSC .654
(4) 1976 WSC .630
(5) 1990 WSC .562
(6) 1939 LWS .630
(7) 1970 LWS .630
(8) 1972 LWS .617
(9) 1961 LWS .604
(10) 1962 — .605
(11) 1974 — .605
(12) 2012 — .599
(13) 1956 — .591
(14) 1923 — .591
(15) 1995 — .590
(16) 1999 — .589

[EagleFan]

Thoughts/predictions on the Reds bracket?

I kind of want 1919 to pull it off but I think it will end up being one of those 70's teams.

[Chas in Cinti]

1990 is awfully hard to beat...

[EagleFan]

Will probably be Saturday when I have the time to return to this.

[EagleFan]

Reds First Round

(16) 1999 vs. (1) 1919
Our first upset as 1919 wins the first game of the series buy 1999 wins 4 of the next 5 to win the series in 6 games. The MVP was Aaron Boone who hit .591 with 13 hits and 9 RBI's. Hid Eller was 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA in 18.0 innings in the loss as he accounted for 1919's only 2 wins.

(15) 1995 vs. (2) 1975
1975 wins the opening game but 1995 responds with 3 straight but 1975 turned it around to win the last 3 games of the series to win in 7. Tony Perez was named MVP as he hit .500 with 14 hits and 3 RBI's.

(14) 1923 vs. (3) 1940
1923 with the upset winning in 5 games. Bubbles Hargrave was named MVP as he hit .318 with 2 homeruns and 7 RBI's.

(13) 1956 vs. (4) 1976
A back and forth series that went 7 games. 1976 wins the last game 5-2 to advance. Pete Rose was named MVP as he hit .357 with 10 hits, 1 homerun, and 3 RBI's. George Foster hit 4 homeruns but only had 5 total RBI's and hit only .222 as 4 of his 6 hits in the series were homeruns. Frank Robinson hit .267 with 2 homeruns and 5 RBI's in the loss.

(12) 2012 vs. (5) 1990
2012 with a 7 games upset as they won the last two games on the road for the 4-3 series victory. 1990 was all about going how their pitching went. In their three wins they allowed a total of 1 run. They allowed 29 total in their 4 losses. Ryan Ludwick was named MVP as he hit .321 with 2 homeruns and 5 RBI's. Jose Rijo was 2-0 with an ERA of 0.53 in the loss.

(11) 1974 vs. (6) 1939
1939 wins the series in 5 games. Paul Derringer was named MVP as he was 1-0 with an ERA of 0.00 in 9.00 innings (strange decision but no players really had any standout numbers).

(10) 1962 vs. (7) 1970
1970 wins the series in 6 games. Pete Rose was named MVP as he hit .458 with 2 homeruns and 7 RBI's. Bobby Tolan hit .500 with 1 homerun and 4 RBI's. Johnny Bench hit .346 with 1 homerun and 11 RBI's (not sure how he wasn't MVP).

(9) 1961 vs. (8) 1972
1961 wins the first two games on the road but then 1972 wins the next 4 to win the series 4-2. Johnny Bench was named MVP as he hit only .238 but had 5 homeruns and 8 RBI's.

[EagleFan]

Reds Quarter Finals

(16) 1999 vs. (2) 1975
1975 wins the first three games to take a 3-0 lead. 1999 then wins their last two home games to get to 3-2. 1975 closes out the series in 6 games with a 7-6 victory. Johnny Bench was named MVP as he hit .375 with an unheard of 7 homeruns and 15 RBI's in what may have been the best show of power in a series ever. Tony Perez hit .333 with 3 homeruns and 8 RBI's (probably enough to be MVP any other series). Sean Casey hit .409 with 3 homeruns and 5 RBI's in the loss.

(14) 1923 vs. (4) 1976
In a decent series 1976 wins in 6 games. Rawly Eastwick was named MVP as he was 2-0 with 1 save and an ERA of 0.00 in relief. Bubbles Hargrave hit .385 with 1 homerun and 6 RBI's in the loss.

(12) 2012 vs. (6) 1939
1939 dominated with pitching in a 4 game sweep. They allowed only 1 run in the entire series. With no offensive stars a random MVP was given to Junior Thompson who was 1-0 with an ERA of 0.00. It really should have been given to the entire pitching staff as they allowed just 20 hits and 1 run total in the series.

(8) 1972 vs. (7) 1970
1972 sweeps their close relatives. Johnny Bench is named MVO as he hit .353 with 3 homeruns and 9 RBI's. Pete Rose hit .438 with 2 RBI's in the loss.

[EagleFan]

Reds Semi Finals

(8) 1972 vs. (2) 1975
1975 wins the first two games and rides that to a 6 game series victory. Johnny Bench was named MVP as he hit .417 with 10 hits to lead all players and 1 RBI. Tony Perez had 2 homeruns and 9 RBI's but only hit .182.

(6) 1939 vs. (4) 1976
The series went back and forth and into a game 7. In game 7 1939 put up the biggest offensive output in the series as they win 10-5 to advance to the finals. Lonny Frey was named MVP as he hit .375 with 3 homeruns and 9 RBI's. George Foster hit .310 with 2 homeruns and 5 RBI's in the loss.

[EagleFan]

Reds Finals

(6) 1939 vs. (2) 1975

Game 1 - 1975 4 1939 3
1939 takes a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the 9th. Dan Driessen opened the inning with a single. Pete Rose brought the crowd to a frenzy with a homerun to right on an 0-1 pitch for a walk off 4-3 lead. 1975 leads 1-0.

Game 2 - 1975 8 1939 2
1975 dominates with an 8-2 victory as Gary Nolan goes the distance for the win. 1975 leads 2-0.

Game 3 - 1939 3 1975 1
1939 comes home and scores 3 in the bottom of the 1st and then rides a strong pitching performance to a 3-1 victory. 1975 leads 2-1.

Game 4 - 1975 2 1939 1 (11)
Both teams score a run in the 4th and the game remains that way into extra innings. George Foster leads off the 11th with a solo homerun and they hold to that lead for the 2-1 win. 1975 is withing a game of winning as they lead the series 3-1.

Game 5 - 1939 4 1975 3
1975 takes a 3-0 lead into the bottom of the 9th. With one out and runners at 1st and 2nd after a single and a hit by pitch Billy Myers takes an 0-1 pitch deep to left for a three run homerun to tie the game at 3. After a single and a walk Ernie Lombardi would single on the first pitch he sees with Billy Werber scoring from 2nd to win the game 4-3. 1975 leads the series 3-2.

Game 6 - 1939 1 1975 0
This would be a pitchers duel as Paul Derringer would throw a 6 hit shutout for 1939 as they even the series at 3 and send it to game 7.

Game 7 - 1975 would put up the runs and ride an 8-2 lead to a 10-8 victory, the last two runs 1939 scored were in the 9th but they couldn't come all the way back.

1975 wins.

MVP - George Foster (.385, 3 homeruns, 9 RBI)
Ken Griffey (.462, 1 homerun, 2 RBI)
Al Simmons (.409, 1 homerun, 6 RBI)

[EagleFan]

Cubs Seeds

(1) 1907 WSC .704
(2) 1908 WSC .643
(3) 2016 WSC .640
(4) 1906 LWS .763
(5) 1910 LWS .675
(6) 1918 LWS .651
(7) 1935 LWS .649
(8) 1929 LWS .645
(9) 1945 LWS .636
(10) 1938 LWS .586
(11) 1932 LWS .584
(12) 1909 — .680
(13) 1904 — .608
(14) 1912 — .607
(15) 1937 — .604
(16) 2008 — .602

[EagleFan]

Lots of early 20th century teams in this one. Hard to call on this one, obviously a team with a winning percentage over .700 would seem to be the front runner but it's hard to tell with early teams and how the game will handle them. I was hoping 1984 would stay in the top 16 but didn't realize just how good the early 1900's Cubs were.

Predictions?

[EagleFan]

Cubs 1st Round

(16) 2008 vs. (1) 1907
1907 wins easily in 5 games. Orval Overall was named MVP as he was 2-0 with an ERA of 1.50 in 18.0 innings. Joe Tinker hit .375 with 1 homerun and 2 RBI's. Aramis Ramirez hit .353 with 2 homeruns and 4 RBI's in the loss.

(15) 1937 vs. (2) 1908
1908 wins with pitching as the win 4-2 with 1937 only scoring 2 runs total in the 4 games that 1908 won. Johnny Evers is named MVP as he hit .526 with 8 RBI's. Frank Chance hit .440 with 2 RBI's. Billy Herman hit .320 with 4 RBI's in the loss.

(14) 1912 vs. (3) 2016
1912 with the upset in 6 games, winning the last game easily 13-1. Joe Tinker was named MVP as he hit .435 with 1 homerun and 9 RBI's. Johnny Evers hit .370 with 1 homerun and 5 RBI's. Kris Bryant hit .312 with 2 homeruns and 3 RBI's in the loss.

(13) 1904 vs. (4) 1906
1906 wins the series in 5 games. Harry Steinfeldt was named MVP as he hit .389 with 5 RBI's.

(12) 1909 vs. (5) 1910
1909 upsets their "neighbors" in 5 games. Joe Tinker was named MVP as he hit .450 with 2 RBI's.

(11) 1932 vs. (6) 1918
1918 wins in 6 games. Cliff Heathcote was named MVP as he hit .348 with 1 homerun and 6 RBI's.

(10) 1938 vs. (7) 1935
1935 wins the series in 6 games. Augie Galan was named MVP as he hit .381 with 2 RBI's. Charlie Root was 2-0 with an ERA of 1.23 in 22.0 innings.

(9) 1945 vs. (8) 1929
1945 wins easily in 5 games. Andy Pafko was named MVP as he hit .450 with 2 RBI's. Charlie Grimm hit .429 with 6 RBI's in the loss.

[EagleFan]

Cubs Quarterfinals

(14) 1912 vs. (1) 1907
In a strange series the visitors won the first 5 games but 1907 changed that by winning game 6 to win the series in 6 (winning he last 4 games). Jack Pfiester was named MVP. HE was 2-0 with an ERA of 0.67 in 27.0 innings.

(12) 1909 vs. (2) 1908
In a back and forth series that goes 7 games 1908 pulls out game 7 with a 3-0 shutout. Mordecai Brown was named MVP as he was 2-1 with an ERA of 1.33 in 27.0 innings. The last remaining non-world series team has been eliminated.

(9) 1945 vs. (4) 1906
1945 took a 3-1 series lead but 1906 went on to win the next three in all 1 run games to win the series in 7 games. Mordecai Brown was named MVP as he was 2-1 with an ERA of 1.73 in 26.0 innings.

(7) 1935 vs. (6) 1918
1935 wins in 5 games. Charle Root was named MVP as he was 2-0 with an ERA of 0.00 in 18.0 innings. Chuck Clein hit .438 with 2 homeruns and 5 RBI's.

[EagleFan]

Cubs Semifinals

(7) 1935 vs. (1) 1907
1907 becomes the first team in the finals with a 5 game victory. Harry Steinfeldt was named MVP as he hit .562. Mordecai Brown was 2-0 with an ERA of 0.50 (not sure how he wasn't MVP).

(4) 1906 vs. (2) 1908
1908 advances with a 6 game victory. Jack Pfiester was named MVP as he was 1-1 with an ERA of 0.53 in 17.0 innings. The top two seeds advance to the finals.

[EagleFan]

Cubs Finals

(2) 1908 vs. (1) 1907

The first tournament to end with the top two seeds. In this case they were teams from consecutive years.

Team 1908 wins the series in 7 games, winning the last game 3-0 in a shutout.

Mordecai Brown was named MVP as he was 3-0 with an ERA of 0.60 in 30.0 innings.

[EagleFan]

Pirates Seeds

(1) 1909 WSC .724
(2) 1925 WSC .621
(3) 1960 WSC .617
(4) 1979 WSC .605
(5) 1971 WSC .599
(6) 1903 LWS .647
(7) 1927 LWS .610
(8) 1908 — .636
(9) 1905 — .627
(10) 1972 — .619
(11) 1912 — .616
(12) 1906 — .608
(13) 2015 — .605
(14) 1991 — .605
(15) 1977 — .593
(16) 1992 — .593

[EagleFan]

I'm picking the We Are Family 1979 team. Any predictions?

[Chas in Cinti]

I'm going with 1971... But I've not been right, yet...

[henry296]

I think one of the 1920s teams with the Waner brothers and Pie Traynor